Picture a caged hamster spinning frantically on his wheel, running tirelessly yet getting absolutely nowhere.

Sound familiar? That's the perfect image of countless Christians today, exhausting themselves trying to

earn God's approval through endless effort and good works. Today, on Insight for Living,

Chuck Swindall unveils the far better method spelled out in Romans 8. God's counterintuitive plan

has nothing to do with our frantic spinning.

It's about surrender, releasing our white-knuckled grip and letting the Holy Spirit take over.

Isn't it time to quit trying so hard?

Chuck called his message, cultivating a spirit-controlled life. We're in a section of scripture in Romans 8 that is one of those all-important places in our Bibles.

And if we're not careful, we'll just let it pass by and not realize that this is, in fact,

if not the, one of the major secrets of living the life God designed for us to live.

He doesn't yell, he doesn't shout, he doesn't scream, he doesn't put it in bold font,

he doesn't double-size the't put it in bold font. He doesn't double size the letters.

He just puts it here and says, now, read it and then do it by my power.

Romans 8, 12.

So then, brethren, we are under obligation not to the flesh to live according to the flesh,

for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die.

But if by the spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

For all who are being led by the spirit of God, these are sons of God.

You have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again,

but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out,

Abba, Father.

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit

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